Wings Assessment #6

In your opinion, what was the most significant impact aviation had on our world in the first one hundred years of flight?

1.  In my opinion, the most significant impact aviation had on our world in the first one hundred years of flight is the efficiency and speed at which we now travel. Prior to aviation, we had automobiles. While they are a convenient way to move around, they are limited by the geography on which they travel and by the number and direction of purpose-built roads. Flying is a limitless travel option. The sky is endless as are the number of places you can travel by flying. People from the United States can hop on a plane and be halfway across the world in 12 hours. That is something that was unheard of prior to aviation. This allows for exchanges of ideas both scientific and cultural. Society greatly benefits from this exchange of information and aviation is at the root cause. This exchange of ideas has led to greater acceptance of one another, and to an appreciation for cultures other than our own. Aviation has given us the means to experience these things firsthand rather than through videos or printed publications, and our human society is better for it.

What do you think the future holds for aviation in the twenty first century?

 

2. With the colossal progress that was made for aviation in the twentieth century, it is intuitive to think that the same degree of progress will take place in the twenty-first century. This would be the ideal progression of things. However, with tragic events like 9/11 and the space shuttle disasters and the ever-ominous threat of terrorism, it will be more difficult for the same type of advancements to take place. There will be a greater emphasis on safety measures and minimizing risk than there was in the twentieth century. With type of aviation, there is a risk of loss of life or injury. Our government and aviation industry must find a happy medium that effectively minimizes risk of casualties, but also enables progress. If we wish to see a man walk on Mars in this century, then it is imperative that we, as a society put more funding towards STEM education and jobs (NASA in particular). If we are able to accomplish this, then there will be virtually no obstacles for aviation in the twenty-first century. Private space exploration companies are the next frontier. Travelling to space will be a luxury, just as simply flying was in the twentieth century. More satellites and missions into space will be launched and hopefully we will see men set foot on a new planet or moon in the coming years.